Apparatus and method of decorating labels



May 18 1926.

H, A. YAFFEE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DECORATING LABELS Filed Nov. 19. 1924 luvs/wan HERMAN A .YA

Arrokuzv:

Patented May 18, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN A. YAFFEE, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE STANLEY MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DECORATING LABELS.

Abplicationflled November 19, 1924. Serial No. 750,940.

My invention relates to an apparatus and method of decorating labels.

It is the object of my invention to provide an apparatus and method of decorating labels with variegated colors in order to insure the beautiful effects and color combinations which shall be the same for large numbers of similar labels.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an apparatus and method which will eliminate handwork and which will be ada table to quantity production.

eretofore in the art it has been impossible to apply with any economy or secure a proper eifect of variegated colors on the surfaces of labels, particularly metal labels. .It will be understood that the lacquer is applied to'such labels by painting or spraying, preferably the latter. The articles are usually relatively small and must be handled in large quantities. The designs are delicate so that it would take the most careful handwork to apply more than one color to such labels on the desired portions. In most of the labels, however, even that would not be possible to do to the designs.

My invention has for its object the overcoming of such difliculties and of making it possible to have a plurality of colors applied in the desired locations on the label, either singly or in great quantities and with perfect uniformity of result on all of the labels.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective of a label tray carrying a plurality of labels with the color screen superimposed thereon and with the air spray in position for operation.

Figure 2 is a plan view of amodified design of the screen.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fi re 1.

igure 4 is-a section through a typical Figure 5 is a plan view of a label prior to treatment by this process.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a' similar label after treatment.

Referring to the drawings in detail:

1 is a tray usually covered with a cloth, upon which the labels 2 are laid face upwardly. These labels are composed of a thin strip of metal- 3, suitably embossed or ornamented with the desired common preliminary design. The under surface of the metal carries a coating of glue 4, a paper back 5, and a glued surface 6 on the paper.

The surface of the metal may or may not carry a base coat of lacquer 7. Usually such a base coat is applied, or the natural color of the metal may take the place of the base coat. The labels are mounted on top of the tray 1 and then have the screen 8 laid on top of them, so that portions of the labels are covered. This screen forms a stencil having an open design complementary to the common preliminary design of the labels. It will be apparent that as the bars 9 of the screen are spaced at regular intervals and the labels themselves are arranged in regular rows with the common preliminary designs all in the same position, similar portions ofthe labels will be covered and similar portions exposed.

The lacquer spraying apparatus 10 then sprays a lacquer or color on the screen and exposed portions of the labels as at 11, impartin to such exposed portions the predetermined desired color. This color merges with the label base forming a wave or bar of color in a predetermined position or spot.

The result will be seen in Figure 6, where bars of orange color'12 alternate with strips of blue 13.

It is obvious that as in Figure 2 the openings between the bars may be zigzag openings 14., undulating openings 15, or squares 16, or any other desired configurations necessary to impart the predetermined color to the predetermined location on the labels.

The cloth covering of the tray is of rough, coarse material which sufficiently adheres to the labels to prevent their shifting.

I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions.

Having thus fully described my invention,

in a unlform arrangement with respect to their common preliminary design, placing over the labels a stencil having an open design complementary to the common preliminary designof the labels, and applying color to the stencil-covered labels to complete the designs on the labels.

2. In a method of applying colors to labels, mounting labels in a uniform arrangement with respect to the design on a support, engaging said labels with a stencil to conceal a portion of the labels and to expose other portions and to hold said labels in position, applying color to the exposed portions of said labels, removing said stencils and allowing the colored portions partially to merge into the uncolored portions.

3. In a method of applying color to labels, mounting labels in a uniform arrangement with respect to the designs on a support, engaging said labels with a grating to conceal a portion of the labels and to expose other portions and to hold said labels in position, applying color to the exposed portions of said labels, removing said gratin and allowing the colored portions artiailly to merge into the imcolored portions 20 to form waves or. bars.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HERMAN A. YAFFEE. 

